…Expresses Concern over Insecurity
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) was deeply saddened and worried by the recent kidnapping of the Managing Director of Fouani Group, a member of the Association.
According to Director General of the Association, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, mni, the incident, which occurred recently, has left the entire manufacturing community shocked and concerned about the safety of its chief executives and indeed, its workforce.
The Director General said, the Association, on receiving the news of the unfortunate incident, frantically made contact with relevant authorities, including security agencies, to express its deep concerns and to reaffirm its confidence in the ability of the agencies to briskly bring an end to the nightmare. We are glad that the efforts of the security agencies paid off and yielded results without casualties among the victims. MAN commends the security agencies for the safe release of Mr. Fouani.
The Association urges for intensified efforts to tackle the rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity in the country, as it poses a significant threat to the business community and the overall economic development of Nigeria.
This if not checked, will erode investor confidence in the economy and further jeopardize the efforts of the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at repositioning the economy for growth. MAN also extends its solidarity and hearty felicitation to the family and colleagues of the Managing Director over the release.
The association remains concerned about the safety and well-being of its members and will continue to collaborate with authorities to address security challenges facing the operators in the manufacturing sector in particular and the nation in general.
Police authorities in Lagos State on Tuesday said they have rescued three Fouani brothers whisked away in their boat by gunmen in the nation’s commercial hub.
Five victims in total- three Lebanese, the boat captain, and his assistant, were rescued in the Orugbo Iddo Area in Epe, Lagos.
The police spokesperson in the state, Benjamin Hundeyin, explained that the victims were rescued last night.
“Our Marine Police with the support of the Nigerian Navy brought them to shore. Thereafter, our tactical team in the area took them home on Banana Island in the early hours of today,” he said.
Hundeyin, however, added that the police were not aware if any ransom was paid and that no suspect had been apprehended in connection with the kidnap.
The three brothers identified as Abbas Fouani, Youssef Fouani, and Amtal Fouani, were abducted around 6 pm on June 14, in Lagos.
The three brothers were said to have been returning from their factory by boat when they were abducted.
The boat conveying the victims was later recovered by the Police Marine Department in the Ikorodu area of Lagos on Saturday. There were reports that the kidnappers established calls with the victim’s family, requesting $1.5m as ransom.